Chess opening · ECO D08
Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit
A pawn offer of its own, 2...e5, is how Black meets 2.c4 in the Albin Countergambit. After 3.dxe5 d4, Black is a pawn down but has a pawn on d4 that cramps White's position and stops a quick Nc3. Black's pieces come out fast, and Black often castles long to bring a rook to the d-file.
- Rank by weighted share
- #124 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5
- 2... e5Black strikes at d4 with the e-pawn and offers a pawn. If White takes on e5, Black's d-pawn advances to d4 and gains space. If White ignores it, Black has opened a path for the f8 bishop and the queen.
The d4 wedge
The pawn on d4 attacks c3 and e3. A knight on c3 could be captured, and pushing e3 opens lines that Black is happy to use. So White usually develops with Nf3, g3 and Nbd2, then tries to round up the d4 pawn.
Black's usual plan is ...Nc6, ...Be6 or ...Bg4, ...Qd7 and queenside castling. The rook on d8 then backs up the d4 pawn, Another plan is ...Nge7 and ...Ng6, so that two knights hit the e5 pawn, which only the f3 knight guards.
A trap after 4.e3
After 3.dxe5 d4, attacking the wedge at once with 4.e3 lets Black play 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3. If White takes the bishop with 6.Bxb4, then 6...exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+ promotes the pawn to a knight with check, and White's king is stuck in the middle.
The main setup
3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. g3 Be6 6. Nbd2 Qd7 7. Bg2 O-O-O
White keeps the extra pawn on e5 and fianchettoes the bishop to g2. Black has castled long, and the rook on d8 supports the d4 pawn. White's king is still on e1 and usually castles short, which puts the kings on opposite wings.
Top replies by rating
dxe5 leads every band, and its lead over the next move widens with each step up in rating.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | dxe5 40% | e3 23% | Nc3 17% |
| 1400–1599 | dxe5 50% | e3 21% | Nc3 14% |
| 1600–1799 | dxe5 63% | e3 13% | cxd5 12% |
| 1800–1999 | dxe5 65% | e3 12% | cxd5 12% |
| 2000 and up | dxe5 75% | cxd5 11% | e3 8% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.